Popeye- First Post

'Popeye' was a film my parents saw on their honeymoon in 1980.

It gets a 4.8 rating on imdb.com which is a real shame. Director Robert Altman obviously knew the material well because I seriously can't imagine a more faithful true live production of the comic and Max Fleischer cartoon. It's just lavish. I don't even believe it's gained much of a cult following either... it's hard to find a person that doesn't go 'Oh that piece of shit' when you mention it... I really don't think these people understood the world of Popeye to begin with!

And the soundtrack is just as marvelous.

There was a 12 track LP released at the time of release it was never released officially on CD...




Years ago before I did as much research on film scores/soundtracks as I do now, I made my own DVD Rip of the soundtrack. The final film versions have slightly different orchestrations and nuances than appear on the album. I kick myself for not knowing where the hell it is right now but it exists somewhere in my archives. However after listening to the actual album I prefer the album versions. They sound gloriously crisp and glossed over.

'Sweet Haven' may be my favorite and 'He Needs Me' is also marvelous but I think the track that stood out for me most was 'Kids' which is primarily an instrumental track with Ray Walston rambling to infinity about... well, kids. It goes on and on and on and on. It's hilarious. It reminded me a lot of me actually.

Only things I don't like are that "Everything is Food" and "End Credits" doesn't show up anywhere on the album. And being that the former was a complete song it baffles me as to how it didn't make it on the album. But I found where someone had ripped those off the DVD like I did years ago. So they are included in the download I have provided.

Also there is what I consider to be a completely different album which is nothing but the original demos by Harry Nilsson.

An interesting listen and highly enjoyable but most likely only to those who are huge fans of the film like myself.

So in all you have The Album:
I Yam What I Yam
He Need Me
Swee' Pea's Lullaby
Din' We
Sweethaven
Blow Me Down
Sailin'
It's Not Easy Bein' Me
He's Large
I'm Mean
Kids
I'm Popeye The Sailor Man

Two DVD rip Tracks:
Everything is Food
End Credits Suite

And the Harry Nilsson Demos:
I Yam What I Yam (demo)
He Needs Me (demo) (vocals: Shelley Duvall)
Swee' Pea's Lullaby (demo)
Din' We (demo)
Sweethaven (demo)
Blow Me Down (demo)
Sailin' (rehearsal w/ Van Dyke Parks)
It's Not Easy Being Me (demo)
Everybody's Got To Eat (Wimpy's Song) (demo)
I'm Mean (demo)
Kids (demo)
I'm Popeye The Sailor Man (demo)
Everything Is Food (demo)
He Needs Me (Spanish Version)
I Yam What I Yam (Instrumental)

Now, when I get around to it, I'll try and hunt down the actual final film version DVD rip soundtrack I made years and years ago and post it here... links are in the comments section for the original soundtrack vinyl rip w/ "Everything is Food" and "End Credits" DVD rip. The second link is for the Harry Nilsson Demo Album.